Adjustable device mount

ABSTRACT

A device mount has a base plate to be mounted on a housing or a frame of an optical or display device. The base plate has an opening to accommodate a device holder, which has a frame for holding an optical or display device, for example. The frame is adjustable connected to the base plate through two adjustment plates. In particular, each of the adjustment plates is connected to the base plate by two linking sections, leaving a gap between the adjustment plate and the base plate. The gap is adjustable by a screw so that the height of the optical or display device relative to the base plate can be adjusted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mounting component for mounting an optical or display component in an optical/display apparatus where the distance between the optical or display component to a reference point can be adjusted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a small hand-held electronic or optical device, such as a very low-profile mobile camera, the location of optical components such as imaging lenses or imaging sensor needs adjustment so that the camera is in focus, for example. It would be advantageous to provide a device mount for mounting an optical component with simple adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device mount which can be formed as a single molded part. The device mount has a base plate to be mounted on a housing or a frame of an optical or display device. The base plate has an opening to accommodate a device holder, which has a frame for holding an optical or display device, for example. The frame is adjustably connected to the base plate through two adjustment plates. In particular, each of the adjustment plates is connected to the base plate by two linking sections, leaving a gap between the adjustment plate and the base plate. The gap is adjustable by a screw so that the height of the optical or display device relative to the base plate can be adjusted.

Thus, the first aspect of the present invention is a mounting component, which comprises:

a base plate comprising a plate surface, the base plate having a first side and an opposing second side;

an adjustment component comprising a first support and a second support, the first support connected to the base plate on the first side, leaving a first gap between the first support and the plate surface, and the second support connected to the base plate on the second side, leaving a second gap between the second support and the plate surface; and

a holder comprising a holding surface defining a plane in relationship to the plate surface, the holder coupled to the adjustment component such that the relationship between the plane and the plate surface is adjustable by adjusting at least one of the first and second gaps.

The base plate comprises an opening between the first side and the second side to accommodate the holder, and wherein the holder comprises a first linking component connecting to the first support and a second linking component connected to the second support.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the linking component comprises a plurality of first linking parts and the second linking component comprises a plurality of second linking parts; the base plate comprises a first side segment on the first side adjacent to the opening and a second side segment on the second side adjacent to the opening, and the base plate further comprises a plurality of first channels extending from the opening into part of the first side segment for accommodating the first linking parts, and a plurality of second channels extending from the opening into part of the second side segment for accommodating the second linking parts.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first support comprises a first end and a second end separated by the first gap; and the first support is connected to the base plate at the first end and at the second end, and wherein one of the first linking parts is connected to the first support adjacent to the first end and another one of the first linking parts is connected to the first support adjacent to the second end; and the second support comprises a first end and a second end separated by the second gap; and the second support is connected to the base plate at the first end and at the second end, and wherein one of the second linking parts is connected to the second support adjacent to the first end and another one of the second linking parts is connected to the second support adjacent to the second end.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first support is arranged to receive a first screw between the first end and the second end of the first support, the first screw engaged with a first threaded part in the base plate for adjusting the first gap, and the second plate is arranged to receive a second screw between the first end and the second end of the second support, the second screw engaged with a second threaded part for adjusting the second gap.

The holder may comprise an indent section for holding a device. The holder may comprises an opening with steps for holding a device.

The second aspect of the present invention is a method, which comprises:

connecting a first support to a base plate in a device mount on a first side of the device mount, leaving a first gap between the first support and the base plate, the device mount comprising a holder between the first side and the second side, the holder having a first holder end near to the first side and a second holder end near the second side, wherein the base plate comprises a plate surface and the holder comprises a holder plane positioned in relationship with the plate surface;

connecting a second support to the base plate on a second side of the device mount, leaving a second gap between the second support and the base plate; and

linking the first holder end to the first support and linking the second holder end to the second support, such that one or both of the first gap and the second gap are adjustable so as to change the relationship between the holder plane and the plate surface.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an opening is provided in the base plate to accommodate the holder. The holder has a plurality of first linking parts at the first holder end and a plurality of second linking parts at the second holder end; the first support comprises a first support end for connecting to one of the first linking parts and a second support end for connecting to another one of the first linking parts; and the second support comprises a first support end for connecting to one of the second linking parts and a second support end for connecting to another one of the second linking parts.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises:

providing a first screw on the first support between the first and second support ends of the first support, the first screw arranged to engage with a first threaded part on the base plate for adjusting the first gap; and

providing a second screw on the first support between the first and second support ends of the second support, the second screw arranged to engage with a second threaded part on the base plate for adjusting the second gap.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the base plate comprises a first side segment and second side segment separated by the opening, and the method further comprises:

providing a plurality of first channels on the base plate extending from the opening to part of the first side segment to accommodate the first linking parts; and

providing a plurality of second channels on the base plate extending from the opening to part of the second side segment to accommodate the second linking parts.

The present invention will become apparent upon reading the description taken in conjunction with FIGS. 1 a to 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a plane view of the device mount, according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a side view of the device mount.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device mount.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device mount, showing the backside thereof.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of part of the device mount, showing a cross section thereof.

FIG. 5 is another isometric view of part of the device mount, showing another cross section thereof.

FIG. 6 is another isometric view of part of the device mount, showing another cross section thereof.

FIG. 7 is another isometric view of part of the device mount, showing another cross section thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a display device having a device mount of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device mount for mounting an optical or display component in an optical or display module. The device mount can be made as a single molded part, for example. Some features in the device mount act as flexible hinges and some features act as links. Two screws can be used to adjust the height of one part of the mount in reference to another part of the mount. As shown in the drawings, the device mount has a base plate with a plurality of mounting holes for mounting the device mount to a housing. The movable part adjustably linked to the base is used to hold an optical or display component. The height and orientation of the moving part can be adjusted against the base plate.

As shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the device mount 10 has a device holder 50 adjustably linked to a base plate 20. The base plate 20 has a raised section 26 on each of the third side and the fourth side of the base plate. On the first side of the base plate 20, a first plate 30 is connected to the base plate 20 by two linking sections 32, leaving a gap 34 between the first plate 30 and the base plate 20. On the second side of the base plate 20, a second plate 30′ is similarly connected to the base plate 20, leaving a gap 34′ therebetween (see FIG. 3). The gap 34 is adjustable by a screw 40 and the gap 34′ is adjustable by a screw 40′. The device holder 50 has a frame with a step 54 on each side of the frame for holding an optical module, a display module or the like. As can be seen in FIG. 5, one side of the device holder 50 is linked to the first plate 30 by a linking section 56 and the other side of the device holder 50 is linked to the second plate 30′ by a linking section 56′. If the gap 34 is narrowed by the adjustment of the screw 40, the device holder 50 is moved downward by the linking section 56 at the first side of the device mount 10. Likewise, if the gap 34′ is narrowed by the adjustment of the screw 40′, the device holder 50 is moved downward by the linking section 56′ at the second side of the device mount 10. Thus, the height of the device holder 50, relative to the base plate surface, can be adjusted. If the gaps 34 and 34′ are not the same, the device holder 50 may be tilted. The base plate 10 has four mounting holes 24 for mounting on a housing.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the device mount 10, showing the steps 54 within the rectangular frame of the device holder 50. As such, an optical component or a display component 80 can be seated on the steps 54. Part of the component 80 can be seen in FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 2 also shows that the first plate 30 is configured to receive the screw 40 and the second plate 30′ is configured to receive the screw 40′.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device mount 10, showing the backside of the device mount 10 with the links 56 and 56′ being visible. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base plate 20 has an opening 60 to accommodate the device holder 50. The base plate 20 also has two channels 58 and two channels 58′ on opposite sides of the opening 60 to accommodate the linking sections 56, 56′ so that the device holder 50 can be moved up and down when the gaps 34, 34′ are widened or narrowed. FIG. 3 also shows two threaded parts 42 and 42′ to be engaged with the screws 40 and 40′ (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one half of the device mount 10, showing the screws 40, 40′ are engaged with the threaded parts 42, 42′ on the base plate 20.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a part of the device mount 10, showing the linking sections 56, 56′ linking the device holder 50 to the first and second plates 30, 30′. FIG. 5 also shows a section of a display or optical component 80 having a surface. The surface of the component 80 can be adjusted relative to the surface 22 of the base plate 20 by adjusting one or both of the screws 40, 40′.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a smaller part of the device mount 10, beyond the links 56, 56′ (FIG. 5), showing part of the channels 58, 58′.

FIG. 7 is another isometric view of the device mount 10. As can be seen in FIG. 7, there is no direct linkage between the device holder 50 and the base plate 20 on the third and fourth sides of the device mount 10.

The device holder 50, according to the present invention, can be used to hold a microdisplay, for example. As shown in FIG. 8, a display module 100 has a housing 120 for mounting a device mount 10. A light source 130 is used to provide illumination to the microdisplay (see component 80 in FIGS. 5-7) through a beam-splitter 140. A lens 150 is used to magnify the displayed contents on the microdisplay, for example. In this exemplary module, the distance between the microdisplay and the lens can be adjusted for focusing purposes.

In sum, the present invention provides a display mount or a mounting component to be mounted on a display module, an optical module or the like. The mounting component comprises: a base plate comprising a base surface, the base plate having a first side and an opposing second side; an adjustment component comprising a first plate and a second plate, the first plate connected to the base surface on the first side, leaving a first gap between the first plate and the base surface, and the second plate connected to the base surface on the second side, leaving a second gap between the second plate and the base surface; and a holder comprising a holding surface defining a plane in relationship to the base surface, the device holder connected to the adjustment component such that the relationship between the plane and the base surface is adjustable by changing at least one of the first and second gaps.

It should be noted that, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the gaps 34 and 34′ are independently and separately adjustable by two screws. The screws are engaged with the threaded parts in the base plate for narrowing the gaps. It is possible that the adjustment of the screws can be used to separately widen the gaps, for example. It is also possible to insert a spring in each of the gaps 34 and 34′ for gap adjusting purposes. Furthermore, the frame of the device holder 50 can have a rectangular frame or a frame with a different shape. For example, if the device holder 50 is used for holding a lens, then the frame can be circular, for example.

Thus, although the present invention has been described with respect to one or more embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. 

1. A mounting component comprising: a base plate comprising a plate surface, the base plate having a first side and an opposing second side; an adjustment component comprising a first support and a second support, the first support connected to the base plate on the first side, leaving a first gap between the first support and the plate surface, and the second support connected to the base plate on the second side, leaving a second gap between the second support and the plate surface; and a holder comprising a holding surface defining a plane in relationship to the plate surface, the holder coupled to the adjustment component such that the relationship between the plane and the plate surface is adjustable by adjusting at least one of the first and second gaps.
 2. The mounting component of claim 1, wherein the base plate comprises an opening between the first side and the second side to accommodate the holder, and wherein the holder comprises a first linking component connecting to the first support and a second linking component connected to the second support.
 3. The mounting component of claim 2, wherein the linking component comprises a plurality of first linking parts and the second linking component comprises a plurality of second linking parts; the base plate comprises a first side segment on the first side adjacent to the opening and a second side segment on the second side adjacent to the opening, and the base plate further comprises a plurality of first channels extending from the opening into part of the first side segment for accommodating the first linking parts, and a plurality of second channels extending from the opening into part of the second side segment for accommodating the second linking parts.
 4. The mounting component of claim 3, wherein the first support comprises a first end and a second end separated by the first gap; and the first support is connected to the base plate at the first end and at the second end, and wherein one of the first linking parts is connected to the first support adjacent to the first end and another one of the first linking parts is connected to the first support adjacent to the second end; and wherein the second support comprises a first end and a second end separated by the second gap; and the second support is connected to the base plate at the first end and at the second end, and wherein one of the second linking parts is connected to the second support adjacent to the first end and another one of the second linking parts is connected to the second support adjacent to the second end.
 5. The mounting component of claim 1, wherein the first support is arranged to receive a first screw, the first screw engaged with a first threaded part in the base plate for adjusting the first gap, and wherein the second plate is arranged to receive a second screw, the second screw engaged with a second threaded part for adjusting the second gap.
 6. The mounting component of claim 1, wherein the first support is arranged to receive a first screw between the first end and the second end of the first support, the first screw engaged with a first threaded part in the base plate for adjusting the first gap, and wherein the second plate is arranged to receive a second screw between the first end and the second end of the second support, the second screw engaged with a second threaded part for adjusting the second gap.
 7. The mounting component of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises an indent section.
 8. The mounting component of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises an opening.
 9. A method, comprising: connecting a first support to a base plate in a device mount on a first side of the device mount, leaving a first gap between the first support and the base plate, the device mount comprising a holder between the first side and the second side, the holder having a first holder end near to the first side and a second holder end near the second side, wherein the base plate comprises a plate surface and the holder comprises a holder plane positioned in relationship with the plate surface; connecting a second support to the base plate on a second side of the device mount, leaving a second gap between the second support and the base plate; linking the first holder end to the first support and linking the second holder end to the second support, such that one or both of the first gap and the second gap are adjustable so as to change the relationship between the holder plane and the plate surface.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: providing an opening in the base plate to accommodate the holder.
 11. The method of claims 10, wherein the holder has a plurality of first linking parts at the first holder end and a plurality of second linking parts at the second holder end, the first support comprises a first support end for connecting to one of the first linking parts and a second support end for connecting to another one of the first linking parts, and the second support comprises a first support end for connecting to one of the second linking parts and a second support end for connecting to another one of the second linking parts.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a first screw on the first support between the first and second support ends of the first support, the first screw arranged to engage with a first threaded part on the base plate for adjusting the first gap; and providing a second screw on the first support between the first and second support ends of the second support, the second screw arranged to engage with a second threaded part on the base plate for adjusting the second gap.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the base plate comprises a first side segment and second side segment separated by the opening, said method further comprising: providing a plurality of first channels on the base plate extending from the opening to part of the first side segment to accommodate the first linking parts; and providing a plurality of second channels on the base plate extending from the opening to part of the second side segment to accommodate the second linking parts. 